Limited council support for MNC charity despite saving not-for-profits thousands

A Mid North Coast charity has helped local organisations save thousands on their power bills, but claims it is hitting a brick wall trying to gain support from the local council.

• “We're one of the few community energy groups in Australia that don't have substantial local government support,” Energy Forever chair Stuart Watson told the Mid North Coaster.

What is it?: Energy Forever is a community-owned solar power and grants program established by the Port Macquarie-Hastings Sustainability Network in 2015. 

• How it works: It uses funds donated by the community and philanthropists to install solar power systems on buildings used by local organisations and businesses, saving them money on bills.
  
  Energy Forever receives payment for the energy generated, which is used to fund further sustainability projects.
  
  It also supports organisations to access external grant funding for solar projects. 

Local benefits: Beneficiaries of the group’s support include social enterprise Willing & Able, not-for-profit funeral service Tender Funerals, St Agnes’ Early Education Centre and the Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Tender Funerals general manager Samuel Clowes said Energy Forever helped organise a grant for around $55,000 worth of solar panels and batteries, which were installed in December 2025.

• “It saved us about 80 percent on our power bills; $2,895 is what it's saved so far,” Clowes said. 

  
  “We need power 24/7. We get a lot of blackouts in the Wauchope area, but since we've had the battery installed, we haven't had a single problem with that.”

Lack of support: Watson said the initiative has struggled to gain ongoing support from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC), despite the backing of some councillors and members of parliament. 

He said the group is seeking to collaborate with the council and is not simply seeking funding. However, Watson said certain external grant programs require evidence of local government engagement.

Energy Forever did receive funding through a council grants program in 2017/18. 

Council response: A spokesperson for PMHC said while “some opportunities” proposed by Energy Forever have progressed, others have not “due to considerations given against our community’s operational needs and priorities”.

Different direction: Watson said the council’s stated vision to be the “most liveable, sustainable and innovative place in Australia” is not reflected in recent policy decisions. 

He said the council has, in the past several years, dumped its climate change response policy and climate emergency statement, and dismantled its sustainability committee.

Extreme weather events caused by climate change are hitting locals financially. According to the Insurance Council of Australia, the May 2025 floods on the Mid North Coast and in the Hunter caused $247.9 million worth of damage.

Not a requirement: Council’s spokesperson said the former policy provided a framework for its approach to climate change, but it was “not a mandatory requirement” under law.

• “The repeal of the policy does not prevent Council from continuing to consider climate risk, environmental sustainability or resilience through its long-term planning, financial management, asset management and strategic decision-making, together with applicable State and Commonwealth legislation,” they said. 

Councillor backing: Councillor Hamish Tubman described the work of Energy Forever as a “good opportunity” for the council. 

He said PMHC should be exploring opportunities to improve the region’s “power sovereignty” - meaning power can be generated locally without relying on fuels from abroad. 

Council policy: Council has retained its Environmental Sustainability Strategy, which notes the “growing need to prepare our community for the transition to electric vehicles, renewable energy and carbon opportunities”.